The Organized Mom Life

An organized approach to pregnancy, baby, and beyond

Our virtual learning set up at home: Small space? No problem!

Emma started virtual Kindergarten this year!

Unfortunately, like most people, we don’t have an extra room in our house to convert into a Pinterest-worthy, fully stocked and decorated classroom.

And I’m totally OK with that!

We still managed to set up a very practical virtual learning area in our living room. And I actually love how it turned out.

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

Storage

Since Emma is in Kindergarten, she hasn’t needed a lot of big textbooks or notebooks. But she did have some papers and folders that we needed a place for.

We decided to make use of a few key pieces of furniture in our living room in order to store the materials she does need for virtual learning:

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

We hung up an organizer for some of Emma’s books, papers, and folders. It’s low enough that she can reach them during her classes as needed.

Side note: We bought Emma a backpack, even though we don’t need one. She’s been looking forward to picking out a backpack for Kindergarten for a long time. And I wasn’t going to let COVID take that experience away from her.

It’s currently hanging there empty, since she doesn’t actually go anywhere… but it makes her happy, so we’ve been proudly displaying it. 😉

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

Under the organizer, we have a small cabinet. I cleaned out a few things so that we could use it during virtual learning for extra storage.

Inside our cabinet

Inside the cabinet we keep a few books and folders: Some for Emma’s school, and some for my 3 year old’s preschool.

Below that we have a “borrowed” area. (A spot of keep things that we need to return to somebody.) It’s super duper handy!

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

On the left side, here’s what I keep in the 3 baskets:

  1. Blocks for my baby, Andrew, to play with. Very useful for those moments when Emma needs me, and I need find something quickly to occupy Andrew.
  2. Kate’s preschool supplies. Basic art supplies like glue and markers, a pencil case, and some sticky notes. (Click here to read more about our preschool-at-home routine.)
  3. Our library totes. We each each have a tote bag that we take to the library each week to fill with books.
Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

So far this little set up has given us more than enough space for everything Emma has needed.

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

A desk

Next, we needed a desk for Emma. We decided to use an end table that we already had in the living room. It’s right across from the wall with the organizer and storage cabinet.

I moved a lamp, cleaned out the drawer, added a few charging cords, and put up a cork board. That was it- ready to go!

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

The cork board

On the cork board, I posted Emma’s schedule. I added clipart pictures to the schedule her teacher gave us so that she could easily follow along as her day goes on.

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

On the sticky note, I wrote all of Emma’s important usernames and passwords.

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

In the desk drawer

Inside the desk drawer, I put some school supplies that Emma might use during her virtual classes.

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

We included headphones, dry erase markers, crayons and markers, and a pencil case with pencils, colored pencils, a glue stick, and scissors.

Our virtual learning set up at home: We had a small space to work with, so we set up this remote learning area in our living room with just the basics.

Making changes

During this process, I’ve learned to be willing to make changes as needed. There’s nothing wrong with trying something, seeing how it goes, and scrapping it if it’s not working.

Since I took these pictures, here’s what’s changed:

  • We traded the stool for a folding chair with a cushioned seat. (This stool was a little too low for Emma, and the chair back gives her some added support.)
  • We moved the desk across the living room to a different wall. I realized that I was walking back and forth behind her a lot while she was in class. Now I can stay out of the way a little more easily!
  • I added a digital clock to Emma’s desk. Now she can easily see what time it is to follow along with her schedule.

But even with these little changes, the basic set up has stayed the same, and it’s been working out pretty well. I’m really happy with how everything is going.

That’s it so far!

So that’s it: You don’t have to have a gorgeous virtual learning set up in order for your children to be successful this year. A little effort (and maybe a few new, sparkly school supplies!) can go a long way.

To all you other moms out there doing your best, and trying to figure out how to support your kids no matter what: we can do this! Good luck. 🙂

-Laura

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